Haw Par Villa

It is not an exaggeration when people say that Singapore is full of surprises. Every nook, every corner houses an attraction which is completely different from the previous one. From mosques to museums, from temples to theme parks, Singapore is wonderfully peppered with all kinds of visual treats for people. In order to embark on a journey you would not expect, step into the unconventional world of Haw Par Villa at Pasir Panjang Road. Formerly known as the Tiger Balm Garden, this Asian cultural park, built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, is where you need to be if you want an adrenaline-inducing experience.

The adventurous Haw Par Villa is one of a kind, renowned for its almost gruesome display of the Ten Courts of Hell, along with depictions of the Eight Immortals and Journey to the West. Here, visitors are taught about the intriguing Chinese Mythology. Ornate with over a thousand figurines and tableaux, this place has a different charm altogether. Here you can spot statues of leopards and dragons and gigantic gorillas lurking in the corners, the Guardians of the Underworld standing to greet you just as you enter the Ten Courts of Hell, and the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin seated peacefully on a lotus at the far end. The sprawling garden comes alive with the loud chirps of birds and an occasional squirrel scuttling from tree to tree.